Bed bug detection and control

ABSTRACT

A detection and/or control device ( 1 ) for bed bugs and other arthropods has at least one surface ( 9,10 ) having sufficient texture for a bed bug or other arthropod to climb, leading to a confinement area ( 6 ) having surrounding surfaces ( 7, 8 ) being sufficiently smooth that the bed bug or other arthropod cannot climb out of the confinement area. The confinement area has a preferably removable and replaceable glue pad or other such trap ( 16, 26, 66, 85 ) to trap the bed bug or other arthropod in a specific location within the confinement area. A variety of specific devices are described, including a coaster-type device ( 1 ) for placement under bed posts and the like, a frame ( 21 ) for light switches and electrical outlets, a cover ( 80 ) for heat or air conditioning air outlets, and various extruded rails ( 50, 52, 60 ) to act as barriers.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to detection and control or ideally elimination ofbed bugs, and potentially other arthropods.

For convenience, reference will be made only to bed bugs, but it shouldbe appreciated that the principles of the invention may be applicable toother arthropods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that the problem of bed bug infestations is growing andis gaining increasing public awareness. Better means of detecting bedbugs, and controlling or preferably eliminating them, are badly needed.

Out of concern for the environment and public health, many chemicalsthat once were highly effective against bed bug infestations, includingDDT, are no longer permissible for use in many countries and regions,including the United States and Canada. These chemicals were previouslysprayed in homes, office spaces, or other dwellings suspected of bed buginfestation. Many chemicals are still authorized for use, but theresilience of the bed begs and their increasing resistance to suchchemicals dictates that additional control means are required.

Bed bug traps exist which take advantage of the well-known fact that bedbugs can readily climb textured surfaces, but cannot climb smoothsurfaces. However, there remains a need for devices which detect bedbugs and/or control them more effectively and/or easily than in thepast.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of this invention to provide avariety of bed bug detection and/or control means.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, structures are providedwhich have a textured surface leading bed bugs into a confinement area,and a smooth surface which then prevents the bed bugs from leaving thatconfinement area.

In one exemplary embodiment, a coaster-style trap is provided forplacement under bed posts or the like.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a frame is provided for installationaround light switches and electrical outlets.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a vent cover for heat or airconditioning air registers is provided.

In a fourth exemplary embodiment, various extrusions are provided forinstallation along walls, above baseboards, in doorways, aroundplatform-type beds, etc..

Further details of the invention will be described or will becomeapparent in the course of the following detailed description anddrawings of specific embodiments of the invention, as examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coaster-type trap;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the coaster-type trap;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drawer of the coaster-type trap;

FIG. 3.1 is a perspective view of the coaster-type trap, sectioned toshow the interior;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, from the rear, of a frame for lightswitches and electrical outlets;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame from the front, with the trayof the device open;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2, with the trayclosed;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top of a heat register coverincorporating a bed bug trap;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the heat register cover;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the underside of the heat registercover;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the heat register cover;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the trapping element used in the heatregister cover;

FIG. 12 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a heat registercover;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of a heat registercover;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the alternative embodiment of a heat registercover;

FIGS. 15A-15C show an extruded rail-type trap for a bed base or thelike;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment, showing aplastic or metal extrusion of any desired length, suitable for use indoorways, for example;

FIG. 17 is a cross-section of the FIG. 16 embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a clip-in glue trap for the FIG. 16embodiment; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an end piece for the FIG. 16embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several embodiments of the invention are described below, as specificexamples of the invention. These examples include a coaster-style trapintended for placement under bed or furniture posts or the like; a framefor light switches and electrical outlets; heat or air conditioningregister covers; and various extrusions for use in doorways, alongwalls, around platform-style beds, etc..

Coaster-Style Trap

FIGS. 1-3.1 show the coaster-style trap 1 according to the invention.The trap has a flat central area 2 for receiving a bedpost (not shown)or other similar furniture element. Outside the flat central area is aninner wall 4 and an outer wall 5. A space is provided between the innerand outer walls, that space constituting a confinement area 6. The outersurface 7 of the inner wall, and the inner surface 8 of the outer wall,are sufficiently smooth that a bed bug cannot climb them, such that theyare trapped in the confinement area 6. To encourage or facilitate bedbugs to enter the trap, preferably both the outer surface 9 of the outerwall, and the inner surface 10 of the inner wall are sufficientlytextured that a bed bug can climb them. Thus a bed bug approaching thetrap from a surrounding floor area may climb the outer surface 9 in anattempt to get to the bed, and then fall into the confinement area 6 andbe unable to escape. Similarly, should a bed bug reach the flat centralarea 2 by coming down the bedpost, the bed bug may climb the innersurface 10, and then fall into the confinement area 6.

As seen best in FIG. 3.1, the confinement area 6 preferably has anelevated platform surface 11, with the area beneath the platform surfacehaving a lower surface 12 spaced below it and sealed to the trap suchthat there is a sealed passageway 13 between the platform surface andthe lower surface. However, one or more holes 14 through the platformsurface are provided (see FIGS. 1 and 2), such that bed bugs in theconfinement area may fall through a hole and then find themselves in thesealed passageway.

Preferably, the elevated floor 11 is transparent, so that users can seeif any bed bugs have been trapped. The trap therefore also acts as adetection means, not just a trapping device.

Preferably, a removable sliding element 15 is provided, slidable in andout of the afore-mentioned passageway, the passageway being sealed whenthe sliding element is in position. The sliding element has a flatsurface 16, preferably generally aligned with the lower surface of thepassageway, and that flat surface preferably carries a glue, tape orother such means as may be established by routine experimentation to beeffective in retaining bed bugs. The user may thus, if desired, removeand replace the sliding element 15 from time to time, to dispose ofcaptured bed bugs.

It is expected that any bed bug making its way to the confinement area 6will eventually migrate to one of the holes 14, and from there willeventually migrate to the sliding element 15 and be retained there.

Frame for Light Switches and Electrical Outlets

This embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4-6. A frame 21 is provided which canbe mounted around conventional light switch and electrical outletfaceplates, to trap bed bugs which otherwise might escape from the wallsor electrical boxes through small gaps between the switch housing andthe faceplate, or between the faceplate and the wall.

The frame 21 has a flat inner sealing surface 22 intended to rest againthe wall and form a seal with the wall so that the bed bugs cannotescape along the wall. Preferably, foam tape or double-sided tape (notshown) is positioned on the sealing surface to ensure that there are nogaps between the sealing surface and the wall.

To install the frame, the conventional faceplate (not shown) is removedfrom the switch or electrical outlet, and the frame is positionedagainst the wall. Then the faceplate is screwed back into position,capturing a lip of the inner edge 23 of the sealing surface 22 betweenit and the wall, further ensuring no gaps.

In front of the sealing surface and around the outside of the installedfaceplate is a channel 24. Any bed bug escaping through the switch oroutlet and onto the faceplate area will be unable to escape from thechannel. The bed bug most likely will fall immediately to the bottom ofthe channel. If not, the bed bug at least will be unable to escape fromthe channel, because the inner walls 25 of the channel are made to betoo smooth for the bed bug to climb out.

Across the bottom of the channel 24 is a removable tray 26 which definesthe bottom of the channel and which slides through openings 27 inopposite lateral edges of the frame, the ends 28 of the tray normallysitting flush with the outside of the frame so as to be as inconspicuousas possible. Also not clearly visible from the drawings is that the trayis U-shaped in cross-section, i.e. generally conforming to thecross-section of the channel and thereby defining a trough. The troughcan be loaded with glue or with any other desired treatment, so that thebed bugs are killed and can be removed, most simply by replacing theremovable tray.

Heat or Air Conditioning Register Covers

FIGS. 7-11 of the present application show a preferred embodiment of aheat (or air conditioning) floor or ceiling vent cover 80, typicallymade of plastic, in which both upper and lower surfaces of the cover areprovided with a channel 81 into which bed bugs would fall. By virtue ofthe side walls 82 of the channel being smooth, the bed bugs would onlybe able to move along the channel, the channel bottom having sufficienttexture for them to be able to move. In so moving, they would make theirway to a removable, replacable trapping means such as a glue pad piece83, where they become trapped.

The bottom of the upper channel and the bottom of the channel on theunderside are one and the same, i.e. both bottoms are defined by asingle web 84. The glue pad piece 83 extends through an opening in theweb 84, and has a central crosspiece 85 which aligns with the web and isthe same or possibly lesser thickness, so that both channels arecontinuous, and so that there is a smooth path for the bed bugs from thechannel, i.e. so that they do not have to climb from the channel to getto the crosspiece. Each side of the crosspiece 85 constitutes or carriesa glue pad or glue layer or the like (not specifically shown), to trapthe bed bugs.

The glue pad piece 83, shown in FIG. 11, is essentially H-shaped incross-section. As mentioned above, its crosspiece 85 aligns with the web84 when installed. Proper alignment is ensured by catches 86 whichengage in notches (not shown) when the piece is installed. The catchespreferably are sufficiently secure that a child cannot remove the piece,but not so secure that an adult cannot. Pinching the piece at the topshould suffice for removal and replacement. Finger grips 87 are providedat the top to facilitate this, and preferably a depression 88 isprovided in the profile of the cover to provide easier access to thosefinger grips.

If desired, a flexible plastic element (not shown), or some otherelement can be provided over the trapping means to shield it from view.The function may also be served by or serve as a child-proof cover sothat only adults can remove and replace the glue pads.

This embodiment has channels on both sides, and glue pads on each side,so that it can be used either for a floor installation or in a ceiling.However, obviously embodiments could have only upper channels for floorinstallation, or only channels on the underside for ceilinginstallation.

FIGS. 12-14 are top, side and end views of an alternative embodimentsimilar to conventional metal heat register covers. In this embodiment,the structure could be all metal, or all plastic, or a hybrid. Forexample, a plastic trap could be added to a conventional type of metaldesign.

In this embodiment, an otherwise essentially conventional design of heatregister cover 90 has moveable vanes 91 on pivots 92, operated by aslider 93, but including bed bug confinement means such as a channel 94similar to the previous embodiment. Preferably the heat register covermay have more depth than normal to accommodate the bed bug confinementmeans. As in the previous embodiment, a removable glue trap 95 orsimilar means may be provided, positioned such that bed bugs in thechannel will migrate to it and be trapped.

Another variation applicable where the cover is plastic is for a metalband or several metal elements to be embedded or otherwise installedaround the cover near its periphery, so that magnetic cover sheets maybe installed if the owner wants to block airflow more completely thanpossible with just conventional louvers.

Extruded Rail-Type Traps

FIGS. 15A-15C show an embodiment which can be adhered around the base ofa platform-type bed frame, i.e. where the frame has a vertical panelwhich contacts the floor, or which can be used in any other analogoussituation. A first piece 50, of extruded plastic for example, having anadhesive backing 51 such as double-sided tape or an adhesive foam tape,is adhered to the vertical surface (not shown) of the bed frame or othersurface, for example not far above floor level. A second piece 52, alsoof extruded plastic for example, has a complementary shape such that itengages the first piece but is readily removable therefrom forinspection or replacement. For example, the second piece may have aradiused upward extension 54 which rotates into a correspondinglyradiused cavity 55 in the first piece, to an installed position whereits lower arm 56 preferably is generally vertical. The lower arm shouldnot be not in contact with the floor, so that a bed bug can crawl underit and cannot climb up the outside, as so that the second piece 52 canbe easily installed or removed. Preferably but not necessarily, thelower arm should be close enough to the floor to encourage a bed bug toseek refuge under it, thus increasing the likelihood of heading up thevertical surface. A bed bug climbing up the vertical surface of the bedframe generally cannot get past the upper edge 57 of the second piece,since it should be in contact with the vertical surface, but even ifthere is a small gap, the bed bug will not be able to get past the firstpiece. The bed bug thus then reaches a glue strip 58 or other trappingor killing means on the inside of the second piece 52, and is thustrapped or killed. Alternatively, if there is no desire to trap and killthe bed bug in the particular location, the second piece 52 could simplybe provided with a smooth surface that the bed bug cannot get around.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment, showing aplastic or metal extrusion 60 of any desired length, suitable for use indoorways, for example. FIG. 17 is a cross-section of the embodiment.

In this embodiment, the extrusion has textured inclined ramp surfaces 61climbable by a bed bug, leading to a precipice 62. A bed bug falling offthe precipice into the confinement area 63 is unable to escapetherefrom, the walls of the confinement area being smooth andsufficiently steep to be unclimbable.

FIG. 18 shows a clip-in glue trap 64 having an upper portion 65 and twoflat lower surfaces 66 to receive glue or glue pads to trap the bed bugsin the confinement area. The shape of the glue trap is complementary tothe shape of the extrusion 60, and is sufficiently flexible to bereadily inserted anywhere desired along the extrusion. FIG. 16 shows atrap 64 at each end of the extrusion, but they could be located anywheredesirable.

FIG. 19 shows an end piece 67 intended for installation at the end of alength of extrusion 60, as shown in FIG. 16. The end piece alsocomplements the shape of the extrusion, and preferably includes theadditional feature of a spring 68 which urges the end piece outwardly,for example against the edges of a door frame. A pin or screw or thelike (not shown) is installed through the upper surface of the extrusionand through the hole 69 at the end of the spring, for the spring to actagainst.

In general, these extrusions act as barriers to bed bugs, preventing themovement of bed bugs from one side of the barrier to the other. Forexample, in one configuration the barrier may have a smooth surface onwhich bed bugs are unable to grip and thereby unable to traverse, inanother configuration they may have a sticky surface which immobilizesthe bed bugs, in yet another configuration the barrier may have acombination of such surfaces to trap the bed bugs, possibly includingintentionally rough surfaces to encourage bed bug movement in particulardirections.

The barrier may be of flexible material such that it can be rolled off aspool, or flexible such that it can be bent horizontally to encircleobjects, or it may be of rigid material.

SUMMARY

The above embodiments all relate to various similar solutions to the bedbug problem. Many variations on the preferred embodiment(s) describedabove are conceivable within the broad scope of the invention Furthervariations may be apparent or become apparent to those knowledgeable inthe field of the invention.

1. A detection and/)r control device (1) for bed bugs and otherarthropods, comprising at least one surface (9, 10) having sufficienttexture for a bed bug or other arthropod to climb, leading to aconfinement area (6) having surrounding surfaces (7, 8) beingsufficiently smooth that the bed bug or other arthropod cannot climb outof said confinement area, characterized in that said confinement areaincludes a trapping means (15, 16) to trap said bed bug or otherarthropod in a specific location within said confinement area.
 2. deviceas in claim 1, comprising a coaster-type device (1) for placement underbed posts and the like, the coaster-type device having both an outerwall (5) and an inner wall (4) around a flat central area (2), a spacebetween said walls constituting a confinement area (6), an outer surface(7) of the inner wall and an inner surface (8) of the outer wall beingsufficiently smooth that a bed bug or other arthropod cannot climb them,and an outer surface (9) of the outer wall and an inner surface (10) ofthe inner wall being sufficiently textured that a bed bug or otherarthropod can climb them.
 3. A device as in claim 1, furthercharacterized by the confinement area (6) having an elevated platformsurface (11), with the area beneath the platform surface having a lowersurface (12) spaced below it and sealed to the trap such that there is asealed passageway (13) between the platform surface and the lowersurface, said platform surface having at least one hole (14)therethrough such that bed bugs or other arthropods in the confinementarea may fall through a hole and then find themselves in the sealedpassageway.
 4. A device as in claim 3, further characterized by aremovable drawer (15) having a flat surface (16) extending into saidsealed passageway, said flat surface capable of carrying glue or a gluestrip to trap a bed bug or other arthropod.
 5. A device as in claim 1,configured as a frame (21) for installation around light switches andelectrical outlets.
 6. A device as in claim 1, configured as a cover(80) for heat or air conditioning air outlets.
 7. A device as in claim1, configured as an extruded rail (50, 52, 60).
 8. (canceled) 9.(canceled)
 10. A device as in claim 1, characterized by said trappingmeans being removable and replaceable.
 11. A device as in claim 2,characterized by said trapping means being removable and replaceable.12. A device as in claim 5, characterized by said trapping means beingremovable and replaceable.
 13. A device as in claim 6, characterized bysaid trapping means being removable and replaceable.
 14. A device as inclaim 7, characterized by said trapping means being removable andreplaceable.
 15. A device as in claim 1, characterized by the trappingmeans being a glue pad (16, 26, 66, 85) from which the bed bug or otherarthropod cannot escape.
 16. A device as in claim 2, characterized bythe trapping means being a glue pad (16, 26, 66, 85) from which the bedbug or other arthropod cannot escape.
 17. A device as in claim 3,characterized by the trapping means being a glue pad (16, 26, 66, 85)from which the bed bug or other arthropod cannot escape.
 18. A device asin claim 5, characterized by the trapping means being a glue pad (16,26, 66, 85) from which the bed bug or other arthropod cannot escape. 19.A device as in claim 6, characterized by the trapping means being a gluepad (16, 26, 66, 85) from which the bed bug or other arthropod cannotescape.
 20. A device as in claim 7, characterized by the trapping meansbeing a glue pad (16, 26, 66, 85) from which the bed bug or otherarthropod cannot escape.
 21. A device as in claim 10, characterized bythe trapping means being a glue pad (16, 26, 66, 85) from which the bedbug or other arthropod cannot escape.